Midwest Mission, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to refurbishing critical equipment and assembling aid kits for local and global communities, has officially purchased the historic building at 219 N. Chestnut Street in Jefferson from the Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC).
Midwest Mission was founded in 2000 in Springfield, IL, and established its first satellite location in Jefferson in 2023 under the passionate direction of Danille Curtis. Since opening, the Jefferson location has hosted 698 volunteers with 556 coming from 54 Iowa counties and another 142 representing 10 other states.
Volunteers refurbish used sewing machines, bicycles, and medical equipment; weave sleeping mats; and assemble disaster kits. Leaders report that out-of-town volunteers fall in love with Jefferson. This is mission-based tourism at its best, adding thousands of dollars to the local economy annually while providing vital resources to non-profits worldwide.
Previously the site of the first Fareway grocery store in Jefferson, Greene County Development Corporation (GCDC) purchased the building from the City of Jefferson in 2004 and rented the building to Midwest Mission with an option to buy in 2023. GCDC is proud to help Midwest Mission realize its dream of owning their own building in Greene County.
“The City of Jefferson is pleased that the Midwest Mission group has further solidified its local presence by its purchase of the building it occupies on N. Chestnut. The spirit of volunteerism inherent within the Midwest Mission group matched with the proven capacity of volunteerism in the Jefferson community is a win-win combination” stated city councilmember Harry Ahrenholtz, the City of Jefferson’s GCDC representative.
Raising funds to purchase the building was Phase One of a larger capital campaign for Midwest Mission. Organizers now turn their attention to Phase Two as they seek to raise funds to pay for much needed building improvements such as floor replacement and loading dock expansion, among other needed upgrades.
Moving forward, Greene County Development Corporation will utilize the funds from the sale on future economic development projects in Greene County that align with its mission and that of its new partnership with the Ames Regional Economic Alliance.
